Words Marco Mancino / Photos S. Lomax

I won’t be standing here listing, yet again, the endless lineup of models that over the years have made Ford one of the most exciting brands when it comes to iconic lines and engine noise. No, you know them very well and if you’ve ever had the good fortune to plant yourself in the driver’s seat of at least a couple of those cars, you’re probably among those frowning at the return of the Capri. These aren’t the 1960s, nor even the ’80s. You may have noticed there’s not a trace of bell-bottom trousers around anymore. And if in recent years Ford has gotten us used to reshuffling even our most deeply rooted convictions — the Mustang Mach-E being the prime example — why should we cry scandal at the sight of a new electric crossover?

It’s 2026, for heaven’s sake. My eight-year-old grandkids didn’t show the slightest hint of surprise at the latest edition of “The Little Wizard.” How is it possible that there are still people outraged when a brand brings back a glorious name from its past, adapting it to what the market wants (or rather, demands) today? In case you’ve spent the last few months on some remote Alpine peak, Capri might just be your next destination. In automotive terms, of course. Do you feel an absolute need for a disclaimer? It’s available only as a 100% electric vehicle.

Alright, let’s bring some order to this. To do so, we need to travel back to 1969 and welcome the first incarnation of the Capri, the European counterpart to the legendary Mustang, produced in three series until 1989. Over those 20 (dreamlike) years, the Capri fully achieved the goal set by the higher-ups at the Blue Oval: to give Europe a compact sports car that — much like the pony car primarily built for the American market — could deliver driving pleasure to those who couldn’t afford a more expensive sports car, especially Italian ones. But that’s another story. The Capri was also available with generous six-cylinder engines and enjoyed extensive use in motorsport, including the European Touring Car Championship and rallying. These are the hallmarks of a car capable of leaving a mark. Then, at the dawn of the ’90s, the excitement was fading and, amid regulations and shifting strategies, Ford ended production. Until now.

The new Capri is truly new and I don’t say that lightly. First of all, it’s a crossover, essentially a more compact SUV: 4.6 meters long and 1.6 meters tall. The coupe-like silhouette remains, along with the small pronounced tail at the base of the rear hatch. Everything is packaged in family-friendly format, comfortably accommodating five people and their luggage, especially thanks to the absence of a central transmission tunnel. Yes, because the new Capri is electric only. We’ve said that already.

For now, it’s available with three different battery packs: a 52 kWh version with 170 hp, the more powerful 78 kWh version with 340 hp — the only one currently equipped with all-wheel drive — and, in between, the version we tested, with a 77 kWh battery 286 horsepower rear-wheel drive. Just like the Ford Explorer, with which it shares virtually everything, including the well-known MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group.

This, however, is not a boring VW ID, and its look won me over immediately. Sure, the launch model’s Daytona Yellow makes quite a statement, but in the long run I think a more subdued color like Agate Black better suits this type of vehicle. The large 20-inch wheels enhance the imposing side profile, though I would have preferred tires with a lower sidewall, not just for aesthetic reasons, but to sharpen the handling once you realize that nearly 300 electric horsepower is far from modest.

The Capri isn’t a gigantic car—  at least not from the outside — but it doesn’t carry its weight lightly: 2,129 kg. That’s why the performance-to-range balance will be a direct consequence of your driving approach. It takes just 6.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 kph and top speed is electronically limited to 180 kph. The manufacturer claims a range of 627 km on a full charge and with Brake Mode engaged and a bit of common sense, that figure isn’t unrealistic.

We all agree that under acceleration we’ll have to do without the metallic roar of the 3000 GXL. But select Sport mode — or fine-tune the steering and driving dynamics settings to your liking — and a road free of straight lines is all you’ll want on your way home. It’s a pity that, with its generous ground clearance, two-thirds of the lineup will do without all-wheel drive. Still, without tackling serious off-roading, the Capri can certainly venture off the asphalt for some occasional light excursion.

Volkswagen has retained those annoying touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel and light controls, as well as the single control for managing all the windows. Yet this flaw fades into the background when you appreciate the quietness the car offers, both on short trips and long journeys. On the lower spoke of the steering wheel, there’s a nod to the past, with round holes playing the nostalgia card. The large 14.6-inch vertical display is more than comprehensive and can even be tilted to conceal a storage compartment integrated into the center floor.

Although it differs radically from the Capri we once knew, I find a model like this more logical than the transformation applied to the Explorer, which went from a large SUV to an electric crossover 16 centimeters shorter, even smaller than our Capri. And I say this fully aware that the Explorer EV is an excellent product. I just would have preferred it as it was, because in the collective imagination — or at least in my own — it represents the car I’d choose to travel aimlessly, without charging stations and where asphalt isn’t even part of the plan.

Alright, we were talking about the Capri. Who knows, it might be the next postcard knocking at your door. In the end, it’s truly an incredibly interesting car, even when you factor in the echo of the model our parents once owned. It’s not cheap, but that’s hardly news anymore. For a version like the one we tested, you’re looking at over €50,000, reaching €54,500. And although charging times are becoming less demanding, there’s no doubt that for most potential buyers it will ultimately come down to their openness to electric mobility. If that raises no doubts in your decision-making process, then get ready to set off. We’re leaving for Capri.

FORD CAPRI PREMIUM EXTENDED RANGE

Engine Electric with 77 kWh batteries Power 286 hp Torque 545 Nm

Traction Rear-Wheel-Drive Transmission Single Speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 2.129 kg

0-100 kph 6,4 sec Top Speed 180 kph (limited) Price €54.500 Range 627 km (declared)